Mitsubishi Repair: Smoking & bad acceleration Shogun, blue grey smoke, head gasket

Question
I have an old diesel turbo shogun which just had a new head gasket and water pump. Since it was put back together it starts,idles and runs fine apart from when pulling off when it is REALLY dead, there are clouds of blue/grey smoke and a slight tapping sound. My mechanic says the engine was put back exactly top dead centre but strangely he cannot set the timing as per the book or it locks up but injectors are fine it runs fine apart from the symptoms above. Have spent £££ and mechanic is confused now too! Help please.

Answer
Jo: I would say the mechanic did not put something back right. If he can not time it then there is a problem with his work. You will need to take the car to a second shop and have them check things over to see what they can tell you. Now the mechanic who worked on the car has walked away, would be a sure sign he did not do something right and knows it. The blue/grey smoke should be ok, being the car is a diesel, does the car use water or is heating? If the car is heating or using water; I would say the head gasket he put into your car was not good. You do get bad ones from time to time. But really I would be worried about the timing, as well as the slighting tapping sound. I would see if you could get some conditioner for the engine that you put in with the engine oil as that might quiet the tapping noise which would be a valve. Again I know you have spent money but I would get a second shop check the car over and see what they tell you. If you can prove the first guy did not do the job right, you might be able to take him to court over this and get some of your money back. Hope this helps and God bless: Linda